Patchetts Green Bridleways Trust

PG: OBJECTS: PROMOTION: Aldenham 83: Oakridge Lane UCR

Oakridge Lane in the Parish of Aldenham (shown right, in red) runs from Watling Street (Point F) to the River Colne (point E), along the river bed, then out (point D), across the private drive (point C) and on to a junction with BW 72 (point A).
Here it becomes a hardened surface track that continues south westwards to the water treatment works.
Oakridge Lane is known as a 'UCR'. This stands for unsurfaced county road. It means that the County Council is responsible for maintaining its surface and keeping it clear, and it is legally a road (so you can ride horses on it). The un-made-up section has county road numbers 4U23/30 (from A to C) and 4U23/40 (from C to F).
Although a road, its maintenance is handled by the County Council's rights of way team (according to the County Council's website). The contact is Dawn Grocock.
Bridleway 72 has been diverted slightly at Point B, which is not shown on the sketch map.

This route is not recorded on the definitive map, and so people new to the area see no finger posts to show it exists, and it isn't shown as a bridleroute on the Ordnance Survey map of the area. Therefore, it needs to be recorded. To do this, the Trust is collecting statements from people who have ridden this path. To complete our recording application, we need people who have ridden the path to get in touch. We will send an evidence form to you if you email us. Please say when you first rode the path, and when you last rode it.

Photographs (taken 27 Jan 07): The following photographs illustrate the route, starting from the junction of Oakridge Lane and Aldenham 72 bridleway, near Hill Farm.
Aldenham 83 - Oakridge Lane
Photograph (taken 27 Jan 07): The entrance to the river at Point C.

Photographs (taken 27 Jan 07): Starting at Watling Street (Point F) and part way along from F to E.

Oakridge Lane sketch map (not to scale) Sketch plan of route

Map of locality (but note incorrect labelling of Oakridge Lane along private drive)

Legal History
20 Dec 06: Application made to have this path recorded.
9 Oct 09: Order made to record the route.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Aldenham 83) Modification Order 2009 will, if confirmed, add this route to the definitive map as part restricted byway, part byway open to all traffic.
1 Jan 10: At the close of the objection period, there were two objections. DRAFT Definitive Statement (21 Aug 2009)
Path: 83. Status: Byway Open to All Traffic/Restricted Byway
Oakridge Lane commences as a Byway Open to All Traffic from Watling Street at TL 1574 0149 and a junction with RB 20 then continues generally south west for approximately 170 metres to TL 1566 0135 where it enters The Brook. It then follows The Brook south west for approximately 325 metres to TL 1558 0103. From here it continues as a Restricted Byway leaving The Brook on the east bank and running generally south west to a junction with FP 26 at TL 1557 0097 crossing The Brook and contiuing to a junction with the drive to Hill farm and Footpath 9 at TL 1555 0093. It then continues as a Byway Open to All Traffic across the drive to Hill Farm running south west for approximately 355 metres to a junction with FP27 and Oakridge Lane (county road) at TL 1529 0072.
Width: Varying between 4 and 14 metres from TL 1574 0149 to TL 1529 0072, as shown shaded grey on the plan forming part of the Hertfordshire County Council (Aldenham 83 and 9) Modification Order 2009.
Limitations: None.
[This route is not yet recorded and so there is no definitive statement until the order is confirmed.]
© 2010 Patchetts Green Bridleways Trust. File Reference: EC202